Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Brother- Sister Love



It just melts my heart to watch Jonas and Ella love on Kate and tell her all of their secrets!
The past 2 1/2 weeks have been really great and REALLY hard! Since Kate was born one week early I was without my mom's help the first week. My church friends were really great to provide meals for us. However, Kate did not sleep much at all that first week. Also, Ella who has NEVER had sleep problems started waking up all through the night and 30 minutes into naptime every day. Thankfully her night sleep is better this week. We're still working on the nap thing. I didn't expect this kind of response from her. I guess the interrupted sleep was her way of reacting to this transition in her little life. It was pretty awful. I got no sleep that week and I was not a very nice mommy (or wife!). :( My parents showed up on Friday night to rescue me and my kids from me! I've never been so releaved to see them. My mom just came right in and took over. She does all the cooking, cleaning, laundery, playing with kids, etc... when she's here. It was such a HUGE help! Thanks mom. They left this morning and I'm missing her already!
Thank you friends and family for all of your hospital visits, congratulations, prayers, phone calls and other support. Special thanks to the Calcamuggios who kept our kids in the middle of the night, Sara who kept them the next night, Meg who spent the night at my house and held crying Kate so I could sleep for several hours, Nicki for coordinating meals and other things, and those in my church family who provided meals and brought them all the way to Buffalo! Thank you for all the comments on my blog. I have been checking periodically and it' has been encouraging. These first few weeks are always difficult and ALWAYS much harder at night when you're just exhasted, but God is good and provides just what we need when we need it. We did close on our house last Monday and have spent the week working on it. My dad has put in countless hours of hard work. And we'll be forever grateful! I'll post pics of the progress later.

7 comments:

Erin Neiner said...

Oh Beth!!! If we all only lived in the area...we'd be there right away to take the kids to the park, stock your fridge, bring you fresh flowers, and mop your floors!!! Sounds like the hands nearby have surrounded you with support and love! Don't worry about getting ANYTHING done except resting & taking care of the kids (I know, no small feat!) Don't worry...I had my "not nice mommy" weeks...the best thing someone told me was: they won't remember it! The Lord will certainly supply you with an extra dose of grace and strength, especially with getting into your new home! LOVE that picture of Jonas holding Kate! SO PRECIOUS!!!

Beth said...

Thanks so much Erin. It was so good to read that YOU too had "not nice mommy" times! I think it's easier though to go from 2 to 3 than it was to go from 1 to 2. Jonas and Ella are good about occupying themselves during my HOURS of nursing. They play really good together... until they don't! :)

Matt & Nicki said...

I was so glad to see a new post--the pictures are adorable!! PLEASE let us know if you need anything-we love you guys and are here for you if you need us! My offer of keeping the kids for you is still open:)

Leah (Parrish) Millan said...

That picture of the three of them is so so (excuse the cheesy word) DELIGHTFUL! It made me smile. Day by day...strength I find to meet my trials here...

I am so happy for you, and I am praying for you!

the J Force said...

Beth - I am so glad that your family could be here to help get your new house a little homier to move in. We would love to take the kids anytime you need just a few hours - I'll come and get them!!!My kids love having the company. We are praying for your return to sanity to come quickly. What great pictures and adorable children! It's hard not to wish the hard times away - but by doing so the good times go too. They grow soooooo fast. Enjoy every moment - no matter how sleep deprived you are b/c you'll never get them back. (ok - so I'm missing the baby thing a little - yes only a LITTLE!) Hang in there!

the johnson crew said...

dear beth, those pictures are so adorable.

please call me to come help you anytime. 612-867-6029. i have a lot of time on my hands.

i can come pick up your kids too. i have a lot of toys, and i still have all the car seats in our wagon.

let me know if you need help packing or moving or cleaning or whatever.

love, janelle

Ben and Carissa said...

Isn't the first 2-3 months of new baby life...hard. Yes, babies are really cute and you are so thankful they are out and healthy, but sleep deprivation is horrible. HORRIBLE!! It does bad things to people!! I totally understand that feeling and I can't imagine not getting a nap the next day!! I tried to remind myself with Luke that it was just a short time in my life, and it was indeed a gift from the Lord. I really enjoyed the pictures. Beautiful children!!!